In a concerning trend for Prague residents, home insurance rates are climbing due to the city’s rising burglary statistics. Only about one in four break-ins are solved across the Czech Republic, with Prague showing even more troubling numbers – a mere 12% success rate for apartment break-ins and 14% for houses.
Last year, Prague recorded 685 break-ins into apartments and houses, significantly outpacing other regions. For comparison, the Central Bohemian region reported 484 cases, while South Moravia logged 366 incidents. Insurance companies are taking notice, carefully monitoring these statistics to adjust their pricing models.
The impact on residents’ wallets is tangible. According to Kateřina Novotná from Allianz Insurance, “The risk of theft is higher in larger cities, making insurance premiums in Prague several hundred crowns more expensive than in smaller cities like Benešov”. ČSOB Insurance provides a concrete example: for a home insurance policy of half a million crowns with a thousand-crown deductible, the difference between Prague and a smaller municipality amounts to 213 crowns.
Insurance companies consider multiple factors when setting rates, including property value, type of property, occupancy patterns, and regional crime statistics. Security measures play a crucial role – from lock types and door reinforcement to window security and centralized security system connections.
For homeowners and renters, the message is clear: proper security is crucial. Even seemingly minor details matter – for instance, a window left partially open for ventilation isn’t considered properly secured, and could lead to reduced or denied insurance claims in case of theft.